When Quatavia Wilkins-Johnson's homeschooled son asked for something simple, friends, she didn't just find him a playdate. She built him a school. That school, Young Laureates, now operates in McDonough as a hybrid educational program that blends learning at home with culturally affirming, hands-on classes, according to CBS News Atlanta.
Wilkins-Johnson co-founded the program in 2024 alongside educator Dr. Torri McHellen, creating what the school describes as a hybrid academic program built specifically to serve Black scholars in Henry County, according to the Young Laureates website. The program emphasizes affirming learning and community alongside its academic offerings.
From One Family's Need to a Fully Accredited Campus
Young Laureates operates from a campus in McDonough and is fully accredited, serving students from kindergarten through ninth grade. That accreditation means the program meets recognized educational standards even though it functions outside the traditional public school system.
The school's philosophy rests on three pillars: Embrave, the courage to try; Embrace, identity and community; and Empower, knowledge and agency. The school offers a K-2 Foundations experience and project-based learning options, per its own materials.
State Voucher Money Widens Access
Affordability is no small factor in whether families can choose a program like this one. Georgia's Promise Scholarship program can provide qualifying families in eligible public school zones with up to $6,500 annually in Education Savings Account funds to put toward tuition and fees.
That funding stream traces back to voucher legislation passed in 2024. The program's funding can be used at some hybrid schools and microschools.
Part of a Statewide Shift Away From Traditional Classrooms
Young Laureates isn't emerging in a vacuum. Georgia's homeschooling population has grown in recent years, according to Johns Hopkins University research cited by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta Magazine also describes homeschooling as a growing trend in Georgia.
Meanwhile, Georgia's public schools remain part of the state's broader education landscape. Programs like Young Laureates operate under a homeschool legal framework that dates back to 1984, requiring parents to file an annual Declaration of Intent with the state and administer standardized testing every three years, Atlanta Magazine notes.
Academic Concerns Drive Families to Alternatives
Part of what's pushing families toward micro-schools and hybrid programs is concern about early literacy outcomes. Some parents are therefore looking beyond the traditional classroom altogether.
Local public districts remain part of the education landscape in the McDonough area. It's a reminder that as families like Wilkins-Johnson's build new paths outside the system, public schools in the same county remain part of the broader conversation about academic priorities.
